Liz April 6th, 2017
See NZ Herald article on Auckland’s unhealthy stormwater deposition in Waitemata Harbour and its ongoing impact on beaches. Stormwater and Auckland beaches
For further information from STEPS see below Stormwater and Fresh Water submissions and watch this space.
stephen October 31st, 2010
Westfield St Lukes Plan Change – Update October 2010
Following the plan change hearings in June 2010, a draft planners report was produced. The report link is http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/members/councilmeetings/20100923_1800/CNCL%2D23092010%2DOPN%2DAGD%2D%2312.pdf
The independent Commissioners for Auckland City recommended in the final weeks of Auckland City existence that the plan change to facilitate the St Lukes expansion should go ahead. STEPS had made a comprehensive submission on the impacts on Meola Creek, and we presented at the hearings. As reported in an earlier Blog, we supported the peer review done by Council officers in respect of water issues. One reason we appeared is that it has been made clear to us at Resource consent time that our only hope for being heard is by influencing the plan. The Commissioners report appeared to rely on the evidence from the developer.
See pages 62-64 in the decision for 1 page on water and lava forest. As we read it:
– Stormwater will all be worked out at the appropriate time. Despite the contradictory evidence – Westfield engineer is happy with soakage. And the commissioners agreed.
– Waste water effects will be no more than minor and anyway though the situation is unsatisfactory, this is beyond the control of the applicant so it would NOT BE REASONABLE FOR A PLAN CHANGE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LACK OF AN INTERCEPTOR.
STEPS asks Who would need sewerage infrastructure to increase peak waste water flows by 8 times?
We were pleasantly surprised at the final Auckland City Council meeting on 23 September that the council deferred a decision.
STEPS believes that St Lukes Community Association were key to achieving this deferral – see press release at:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1009/S00306/st-lukes-community-applauds-mayoral-leadership.htm
Reporter Bob Dey reported on it as follows:
http://www.bdcentral.co.nz/afa.asp?idWebPage=8338&idBobDeyProperty_Articles=14964&SID=351783881
Later the Auckland City Council wisely decided to leave the decision for the new council – see
http://www.bdcentral.co.nz/afa.asp?idWebPage=8338&idBobDeyProperty_Articles=15078&SID=407944042
STEPS is hopeful that the new City Council will pay more attention to the very real infrastructure issues faced by the St Lukes area and will consider the interests of local residents when they review this plan change.
meolacreek April 20th, 2009
Liz Walker of the St Lukes Environmental Protection Society is interviewed by Edward Rooney on Scrutiny about Meola Creek.
Part One
Part Two
